Unexpected pairing
"Another boring day,” Lily muttered as she walked into the classroom and dropped her bag onto her desk.
Her eyes immediately landed on Taylor, who was once again laughing a little too loudly beside Calvin.
“Seriously?” Lily rolled her eyes. “Does she ever stop trying to get his attention? What’s even so special about him anyway?”
The morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows while students chatted noisily around her. Some were finishing homework, some scrolling through their phones, and others gossiping before class started.
Then the bell rang.
Everyone quickly settled into their seats as the teacher walked in holding a folder.
“Students,” she announced with a smile, “I have an important announcement.”
The classroom instantly grew quieter.
“Our school is organizing an educational trip next week. Students will work in pairs and visit different places around the city for two days and one night. Your task will be to collect information and create a short documentary about the place you visit.”
Excited whispers filled the classroom immediately.
“A trip?”
“That sounds fun!”
“What if we get bad partners?”
Lily leaned back in her chair, only half interested.
“And yes,” the teacher added, adjusting her glasses, “I will be choosing your partners.”
Groans mixed with laughter across the room.
The teacher began reading names from the list.
“Ben and Grabby. Billy and Sam. Anne and Taylor…”
Lily stared absentmindedly out the window until—
“Calvin and Lily.”
Her head snapped up instantly.
For a second, the entire classroom seemed silent.
“What?” Lily whispered under her breath.
A few students turned toward them teasingly while Taylor’s smile disappeared completely.
The teacher continued, unaware of the tension growing inside the room.
“Calvin and Lily, you two will be visiting the famous flower garden and aquarium. You’ll collect information, film your documentary, and present it to the school after the trip.”
Lily awkwardly glanced at Calvin, but he simply nodded calmly like it was no big deal.
Unlike her racing heart.
“Your trip begins next week,” the teacher finished. “So start preparing.”
The bell rang moments later, and the classroom exploded with excitement.
Everyone immediately started discussing the trip, laughing and guessing what would happen.
Meanwhile, Lily quietly packed her books, pretending not to notice Taylor glaring at her from across the room.
Later that afternoon, Lily sat alone in the cafeteria with a cup of coffee beside her and a novel open in her hands.
The cafeteria buzzed with noise, trays clattering and students talking over one another.
For once, things felt peaceful.
Until someone pulled out the chair across from her.
“Well, well… if it isn’t Lily.”
Lily sighed internally before looking up.
Taylor stood there with her group of friends behind her, arms crossed and a fake smile spread across her face.
“Not again,” Lily thought.
“You must be pretty excited about going on that trip with Calvin,” Taylor said sarcastically.
Lily ignored her and turned another page in her book.
Taylor’s smile faded slightly.
“I’m talking to you.”
Still no response.
Taylor leaned closer. “Just so we’re clear… Calvin is mine.”
That finally made Lily look up.
She raised an eyebrow. “Did he tell you that himself?”
A few girls behind Taylor exchanged shocked looks.
Taylor’s expression darkened immediately.
“Watch your attitude,” she snapped.
Lily calmly picked up her coffee. “Maybe you should stop acting obsessed.”
Before Lily could react, Taylor suddenly grabbed the coffee from her hand and poured it onto Lily’s skirt.
The warm liquid soaked through instantly.
The cafeteria went silent.
Lily stood up so quickly her chair screeched against the floor.
“What is wrong with you?” she shouted angrily.
Taylor only smirked. “Oops. My mistake.”
Then she turned and walked away with her friends laughing behind her.
Lily looked down at the stain on her clothes, humiliated as dozens of students stared at her.
“Great,” she muttered bitterly.
“Here.”
A voice beside her made her look up.
Calvin stood there holding out his black jacket.
“You can use this,” he said softly.
Lily blinked in surprise. “You don’t have to—”
“It’s okay,” he interrupted gently.
For the first time, Lily noticed how calm his eyes looked up close.
She slowly took the jacket. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Without another word, she wrapped the jacket around herself and hurried toward the washroom.
As soon as she disappeared, Calvin’s friend Joe walked over with a grin on his face.
“Well,” Joe said, smirking, “looks like someone’s interested.”
Calvin rolled his eyes. “I just helped her.”
“Sure you did.”
“I’m serious. Taylor went too far.”
Joe shrugged casually. “Yeah, she did.”
Calvin glanced toward the hallway Lily had disappeared into.
Then quietly, almost to himself, he said—
“She’s different.”
Joe immediately grinned wider. “Oh, you’re definitely falling for her.”
Calvin shook his head, trying to hide the small smile threatening to appear.
“Shut up and let’s get to basketball practice before Coach kills us.”
Joe laughed. “Now that sounds more like you.”
The two grabbed their bags and headed toward the gym while, somewhere down the hallway, Lily stood staring at Calvin’s jacket in confusion.
Maybe this trip wouldn’t be so boring after all.
